Evaluation of tool wear when milling SiCp/Al Composites

The research on wear mechanism and characteristics of tool is a key issue for machining silicon carbide particle reinforced aluminum matrix composites (SiCp/Al). The machining adaptability, wear characteristics of the cermet cutting tools, TiN-coated tools and cemented carbide tools have been studied while milling SiCp/Al composites with large particle and high volume fraction. The results indicate that the wear resistance of the three kinds of tools are almost the same during machining large particle, high volume fraction SiCp/Al composite, and the tool wear is mainly presented as flank wear, which is caused by the mechanical wear of SiC particles. The wear rate of tools increases with increasing the cutting speed, but the difference is not very obvious. However, no matter high-speed cutting or low-speed cutting, the tool will be seriously worn in short distance. The each tooth cutter feed rate and depth of cutting have little effect on the tool wear.